NEWS: Beyonce Parts Ways With Manager Matthew Knowles

It was bound to happen. Anyone who didn’t see this coming was either blind or stupid.

Beyonce Knowles has (finally) parted ways with her long-time manager Matthew Knowles, the man who helped make her one of the biggest and most influential pop stars in the world. Beyonce confirmed in a statement to the Associated Press that she and her father have parted ways “on a business level”. This comes after Michele Williams and Kelly Rowland both left Knowles and his Music World Entertainment company in 2009 and 2010.

I have no doubt what so ever that this decision will ultimately benefit Beyonce. Her father did a great job getting her to where she is, but it’s been clear over the years (remember when she recorded B-Day without him knowing?) that their relationship both professional and personal (affairs, illegitimate children etc) has been strained.

I’m pretty confident too that this decision was influenced by Bey’s husband, rapper and business mogul Jay-Z who is currently heading one of the strongest management companies around – Roc Nation. This has long been my theory. I wouldn’t be surprised if Beyonce leaves Columbia Records all together at some point. Wouldn’t be her worse decision either.

The statement continued by saying “he [Matthew Knowles] is my father for life and I love my dad dearly”.

…I’m suddenly even more excited about that new album now.

Update: Matthew Knowles has issued a statement regarding the split – hit the jump…

“The decision for Beyoncé and Music World Entertainment to part was mutual. We did great things together, and I know that she will continue to conquer new territories in music and entertainment. Currently, I am very focused on the tremendous investment that our record label has made in the gospel/inspirational genre of music and on our supremely talented roster of artists, including Trin-i-tee 5:7, Brian Courtney Wilson, Juanita Bynum, Micah Stampley, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Pastor Rudy and others.

Music World will continue its partnership with Sony with Destiny’s Child and UK female group From Above, as well as management. We will also continue to develop the Music World family of labels: Music World Country/Compadre, Music World Kids and Music World Music. In Music World’s repositioning it will not continue its label/management role with Columbia/Sony artist Tiffany Evans.

Business is business and family is family. I love my daughter and am very proud of who she is and all that she has achieved. I look forward to her continued great success.

 

…Brrrr, icy!